Enclosure device and image forming system

Abstract

To provide an enclosing device capable of preventing bending or sagging during pushing of an enclosure into an envelope.SOLUTION: An enclosing device (100) for enclosing a sheet-like medium in an envelope conveyed to an enclosing position comprises a medium pushing-in mechanism (160) for pushing-in the medium toward the opening of the envelope set at the enclosing position. The medium pushing-in mechanism (160) is provided with a movement regulation part (161) that regulates the movement of the end of the medium in the thickness direction of the medium at an abutment part abutting against the medium during pushing of the medium into the envelope.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inserting device and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known insertion devices that automatically insert an enclosure into an envelope. There are also known insertion devices that insert a "folded sheet" obtained by performing a predetermined folding process on a sheet-like medium. There are also known image forming systems that automatically insert the folded sheet with an image formed thereon in conjunction with an image forming device that forms an image on the sheet as the enclosure.

[0003] A configuration has been disclosed in which, when a folded sheet (enclosure) on which an image has been formed is automatically inserted into an envelope, a pad is abutted against the enclosure placed in the opening of the envelope to push the enclosure into the envelope (see Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the contact position where the backing material comes into contact with the inclusion is flat so that the inclusion does not wrinkle when the inclusion is pushed in. Therefore, when the backing material is pressed against the inclusion, the end of the inclusion may shift from the contact position, causing bending or warping.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an inserting device that prevents an envelope from bending or warping when an insert is inserted into the envelope. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problem, one aspect of the present invention is an enclosing device that encloses a sheet-like medium in an envelope transported to an enclosing position, the enclosing device including a medium pushing mechanism that pushes the medium toward an opening of the envelope at the enclosing position, the medium pushing mechanism including a movement restricting portion that restricts movement of an end of the medium in a thickness direction of the medium at a contact portion that contacts the medium when the medium is pushed into the envelope. The movement restricting portion has a tip end that protrudes from a contact surface that contacts the medium, and the tip end enters the opening of the envelope when the medium is pushed toward the opening of the envelope. , characterized in that Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, bending or warping can be prevented when inserting an item into an envelope. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front external view showing an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a control configuration according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of an embodiment of an enclosing device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an enclosure pushing unit provided in an enclosure device according to the present invention; [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation of the inclusion pusher. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12]5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process of an enclosing operation of the enclosing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] 11A and 11B are comparative diagrams for explaining the effect of the inclusion pushing portion. [Figure 19] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a first embodiment of a movement restricting portion included in the inclusion pusher; [Figure 20] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a second embodiment of the movement restriction portion included in the inclusion pusher; [Figure 21] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a third embodiment of the movement restriction portion included in the inclusion pusher. [Figure 22] 13 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the movement restriction portion included in the inclusion pusher. FIG. [Diagram 23] 13 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the movement restriction portion included in the inclusion pusher. FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a part of a movement restricting portion included in the inclusion pusher according to a fifth embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a part of a movement restricting portion included in the inclusion pusher according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of an example of a sheet processing apparatus applicable to the embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of another example of a sheet processing apparatus applicable to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Embodiment of Image Forming System] First, an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a front external view of a print system 1 as an example of an image forming system. The print system 1 includes an image forming device 200, a folding device 300 as a sheet processing device, an inserting and sealing device 100 as an embodiment of an inserting device, and a post-processing device 400.

[0010] The image forming device 200 forms an image on a sheet-like medium by a predetermined method and conveys the medium. The sheet-like medium on which the image has been formed (hereinafter simply referred to as "sheet S") is subjected to a predetermined folding process in the folding device 300 and conveyed to the enclosing and sealing device 100. Note that the folding device 300 may convey the sheet S to the enclosing and sealing device 100 without folding the sheet. An instruction to fold or not fold the sheet S is given by the image forming device 200 or by an instruction to the folding device 300 from a system user.

[0011] The inserting and sealing device 100 performs an inserting and sealing process in which the sheet S conveyed from a device (the image forming device 200 or the folding device 300) located upstream in the conveying direction of the sheet S, or the folded sheet Sf conveyed after folding the sheet S, is automatically inserted into an envelope and sealed. The sheet S conveyed downstream without being subjected to the inserting and sealing process passes through the inserting and sealing device 100 and is conveyed to the post-processing device 400. The post-processing device 400 performs post-processing such as stapling on the conveyed sheet S.

[0012] The inserting and sealing device 100 can insert the folded sheet Sf into an envelope in an appropriate orientation after the folding process. The inserting and sealing device 100 judges whether or not the conveying direction of the folded sheet Sf needs to be reversed so that the address and other information formed on the folded sheet Sf as an enclosure is aligned with a transparent window previously formed in the envelope. If the reverse is required, the device is provided with a conveying mechanism that reverses the folded sheet Sf using a conveying path upstream of the insertion position and conveys the sheet Sf to the insertion position. Details of the reverse control and conveying control of the folded sheet Sf will be described later. The inserting and sealing device 100 can also insert a sheet S as an enclosure that has not been folded in the same manner.

[0013] Here, the "coordinate axes" used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the axis parallel to the placement surface of the print system 1 and along the arrangement direction of the devices constituting the print system 1 is defined as the Y axis. The direction of the arrow indicating the Y axis is defined as the "+Y direction", and the opposite direction is defined as the "-Y direction". The sheet S on which an image has been formed in the image forming apparatus 200 is conveyed in the +Y direction, and then transported to each device arranged downstream in the +Y direction.

[0014] Similarly, the X-axis is an axis parallel to the mounting surface of the print system 1 and along the depth direction of the print system 1. The direction of the arrow indicating the X-axis is the "+X direction," and the opposite direction is the "-X direction."

[0015] The Z axis is an axis that is perpendicular to the X and Y axes and runs along the height direction of the print system 1. The direction of the arrow indicating the Z axis is the "+Z direction," and the opposite direction is the "-Z direction."

[0016] In the drawings used in the following description, when the same coordinate axes as above are used, the directions used in the description shall be defined in the same manner as above.

[0017] [Print System 1 Function Blocks] The overall functional blocks of the print system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. In the following description, it is assumed that the medium to be transported and inserted into the envelope E is a folded sheet Sf on which an image has been formed in the image forming device 200 and on which a predetermined folding process has been performed in the folding device 300. In Fig. 2, the movement path (conveyance path) of the folded sheet Sf is shown by a dashed line, and the communication paths used to send and receive signals between the functional blocks are shown by solid lines. The movement path (conveyance path) of the sheet S is also shown by a dashed line.

[0018] The image forming apparatus 200 is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet S by, for example, a known electrophotographic process. The image forming apparatus 200 includes a display unit 210, an operation unit 220, a sheet feeding unit 230, an image creating unit 240, a fixing unit 250, and a printer control unit 260.

[0019] The display unit 210 displays information to inform the user of the status of various functions and the operation contents. The operation unit 220 corresponds to an operation interface for the user to perform setting operations such as setting the processing operation mode and the number of processing units, and setting that requires inversion when inserting in the inserting and sealing device 100. The sheet feeding unit 230 has a sheet feeding mechanism that stocks the sheets S and separates and feeds them one by one. The image creating unit 240 forms a latent image on a photosensitive member and transfers the image to the sheet S. The fixing unit 250 fixes the image transferred to the sheet S. The printer control unit 260 controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned functional blocks.

[0020] The folding device 300 has a sheet folding section 310 that folds the sheet S conveyed from the image forming device 200 in a folding type (folding method) specified by the printer control section 260 of the image forming device 200 through the communication line 207, and a folding control section 320 that controls the entire folding device 300. The folding control section 320 also controls communication with the printer control section 260 and the inserting and sealing control section 150 connected downstream. The sheet may be conveyed to the inserting and sealing device 100 without being folded in the sheet folding section 310.

[0021] [Examples of different folding operations in the sheet folding unit 310] There are several types of sheet folding units 310. Here, an embodiment of the sheet folding unit 310 that realizes different folding methods will be described with reference to Figs. 26 and 27. In the following description, the sheet folding unit 310 shown in Fig. 26 will be referred to as "Type A", and the sheet folding unit 310 shown in Fig. 27 will be similarly referred to as "Type B". In Figs. 26 and 27, a △ symbol is attached to the printing surface (also called "image forming surface Ps") on which an image is formed on the sheet S. That is, in the following description, it is assumed that an image is formed on one surface of the sheet S.

[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 26, the lower surface side of the sheet S conveyed from the image forming apparatus 200 to the sheet folding section 310 in the conveying direction corresponds to the image forming surface Ps.

[0023] First, as shown in FIG. 26(a), the sheet S is conveyed from the image forming apparatus 200 toward the pair of conveying rollers 311.

[0024] The sheet S conveyed downstream by the conveying roller pair 311 is conveyed to a predetermined position by a first folding roller 312, a first folding conveying roller 313, and a second folding roller 314, as shown in FIG. 26(b).

[0025] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 26(c), first fold conveying roller 313 and second fold roller 314 rotate in the opposite direction, and a first fold is formed in sheet S.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 26(d), after the first crease has been formed, the sheet S is transported by the first folding roller 312, the second folding roller 314, and the second folding transport roller 316 to a path other than the feed path, and stops at a predetermined position.

[0027] 26(e), the second folding conveying roller 316 rotates in the reverse direction, and the third folding roller 315 also rotates and conveys the sheet downstream, forming a second fold and completing the outer triple fold. In this case, the image forming surface Ps of the folded sheet Sf is located on the lower side in the conveying direction.

[0028] The case of the type B sheet folding unit 310 will be described. In the type B sheet folding unit 310, as shown in Fig. 27, the sheet S conveyed from the image forming apparatus 200 is folded while being conveyed in the -Z direction. The image forming surface Ps of the sheet S when conveyed faces, for example, in the +Y direction.

[0029] First, as shown in FIG. 27(a), a sheet is conveyed from the image forming apparatus 200 toward the first conveying roller pair 321.

[0030] Then, as shown in FIG. 27(b), the sheet is conveyed downward to a predetermined position by first conveying roller pair 321, first folding roller 323, and first folding conveying roller 322, and then stops.

[0031] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 27(c), first fold conveying roller 322 and first folding roller 323 rotate in the opposite direction, and second folding roller 324 rotates, thereby forming a first fold.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 27(d), the second conveying roller pair 326 also rotates to convey the sheet, and the sheet stops at a predetermined position.

[0033] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 27(e), the second conveying roller pair 326 rotates in the reverse direction, and the folded sheet Sf is conveyed upward by the rotation of the second folding conveying roller 325, and the second fold is formed by the second folding roller 324 and the second folding conveying roller 325, completing the outer three-fold. In this case, the image forming surface Ps of the folded sheet Sf is located on the surface on the upper side in the conveying direction, unlike the A type. In this way, even when the same outer three-fold is performed by different types of sheet folding units 310, such as the A type and the B type, the position (direction) of the printed surface relative to the conveying direction is different. That is, the surface on which the address and the like are printed may differ depending on the type of the sheet folding unit 310. Therefore, as described later, in the enclosing and sealing device 100 according to this embodiment, the folded sheet Sf can be reversed during conveying based on information indicating the type of the sheet folding unit 310 to unify the position of the printed surface in a certain direction.

[0034] [Explanation of Encapsulating and Sealing Device 100] Returning to Fig. 2, the inserting and sealing device 100 has a sheet inverting unit 110, an inserting unit 120, a sealing unit 130, and an inserting and sealing control unit 150.

[0035] The sheet inverting unit 110 performs a predetermined process on the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the sheet folding unit 310 according to a control mode (including the type of folding, the position of the printed surface, etc.) transmitted from the folding control unit 320 to the insertion and sealing control unit 150 via the communication line 105. The sheet inverting unit 110 performs a conveying process in which the folded sheet Sf is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction, and an inverting process in which the end of the folded sheet Sf in the conveying direction is swapped. The folded sheet Sf that has undergone the inverting process is conveyed to the insertion unit 120 or the post-processing device 400.

[0036] The inserting unit 120 is configured to move the envelope E to a position where the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the sheet inverting unit 110 can be inserted, hold the envelope E at a predetermined position, and insert an enclosure into the waiting envelope E. The inserting unit 120 also has a mechanism for maintaining the flap ef so as to open the opening of the envelope E, and for pushing the end of the folded sheet Sf toward the opening of the envelope E so that the conveyed folded sheet Sf is inserted into the envelope E. These mechanisms execute the process of inserting the folded sheet Sf into the envelope E that is held at a predetermined position and has its opening open.

[0037] The sealing unit 130 closes the flap ef of the envelope E in which the folded sheet Sf is enclosed, and then discharges the sealed envelope E onto a discharge tray 137.

[0038] The inserting and sealing control unit 150 controls the operation of a plurality of transport rollers constituting the sheet inverting unit 110, the enclosing unit 120, and the sealing unit 130, and a switching claw that switches the transport path of the envelope E. The inserting and sealing control unit 150 receives "enclosure target information" as information related to the folded sheet Sf from the printer control unit 260 and the folding control unit 320, and performs transport control including inversion control and enclosing control of the folded sheet Sf based on the contents indicated by each piece of information included in the received enclosing target information.

[0039] The "enclosure target information" is information related to the sheet S and the folded sheet Sf that are the enclosures. More specifically, it includes information that specifies the direction of the end that will be the leading edge of the sheet S and the folded sheet Sf when they are enclosed in the envelope E. It also includes, for example, "fold type information" that specifies the type of folding process for the folded sheet Sf. It also includes "reversal necessity information" that specifies whether or not a reversal conveying process described later is required, as operation instruction information from the image forming device 200, which is one of the upstream devices. It also includes, for example, print surface information that indicates the image forming surface on which an image is formed on the folded sheet Sf. It also includes, for example, "processing device information" that indicates the type (A type or B type) of the sheet folding unit 310 that performed the folding process.

[0040] The post-processing device 400 has a post-processing section 410 and a post-processing control section 420. The post-processing section 410 performs a predetermined post-processing on the sheet S conveyed from the upstream side under the control of the post-processing control section 420. The post-processing control section 420 controls the post-processing operation in the post-processing control section 420 according to the operation mode transmitted from the printer control section 260, the folding control section 320, and the enclosing / sealing control section 150 via the communication line 403.

[0041] The printer control unit 260, folding control unit 320, enclosing / sealing control unit 150, and post-processing control unit 420 are interconnected, and configured to exchange information necessary for control via each communication line (207, 105, 403). Therefore, by cooperation between each control unit (260, 320, 150, 420), information regarding the processing mode that the user requests to perform on the sheet S and the folded sheet Sf, and the sheet size are shared with each other. As a result, control information that enables each mechanism to perform a predetermined process at a predetermined timing and in a predetermined process is shared throughout the printing system 1.

[0042] 1 and 2 show an example of the configuration of the printing system 1 in which a post-processing device 400 is connected downstream of the enclosing and sealing device 100. Representative post-processing devices 400 include a finisher that performs stapling, a stacker, a bookbinding machine, etc. Also, the system configuration of the printing system 1 may be such that the enclosing and sealing device 100 is the most downstream device.

[0043] [Conveying configuration of the inserting and sealing device 100] Next, using Figure 3, we will explain the conveying rollers that constitute the sheet inversion section 110, the enclosing section 120, and the sealing section 130 of the inserting and sealing device 100, the switching claw that switches the conveying direction of the conveyed object, and the conveying path on which these are arranged.

[0044] [Configuration of sheet inverting unit 110] As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet inversion unit 110 has a plurality of conveying paths, which are distinguished as an input path 1100, a first conveying path 1101, a second conveying path 1102, a switchback conveying path 1103, an enclosing conveying path 1104 as a fourth conveying path, and a sheet conveying path 1109.

[0045] An entrance roller 101 is disposed on the carry-in path 1100. The carry-in path 1100 is a path that receives the folded sheet Sf discharged from an upstream device (e.g., the folding device 300). The inserting and sealing control unit 150 receives insertion target information as information related to the folded sheet Sf from an upstream control unit (the printer control unit 260, the folding control unit 320), and controls the start and stop of rotation of the entrance roller 101.

[0046] A first conveying path 1101, which is one of a plurality of conveying paths provided downstream of the entrance rollers 101 and branches off from the carry-in path 1100, is provided with first conveying rollers 111 and first intermediate conveying rollers 114 as a first conveying means. Also, a first sheet detection sensor 118 is provided in the first conveying path 1101 as a first medium sensor that detects an end (trailing end) of the conveyed folded sheet Sf. The first sheet detection sensor 118 is provided between the first intermediate conveying rollers 114 and the first conveying rollers 111.

[0047] A second conveying path 1102, which is one of the conveying paths provided downstream of the entrance rollers 101 and branches off from the carry-in path 1100 in a direction different from that of the first conveying path 1101, is provided with second conveying rollers 112 and second intermediate conveying rollers 115 as second conveying means. A second sheet detection sensor 119 is provided on the second conveying path 1102 as a second medium sensor that detects an end (trailing end) of the conveyed folded sheet Sf. The second sheet detection sensor 119 is provided between the second intermediate conveying rollers 115 and the second conveying rollers 112.

[0048] Further, the sheet inverting unit 110 has a switchback conveying path 1103. The switchback conveying path 1103 is a conveying path that connects a junction position where the switchback conveying path 1103 joins the first conveying path 1101 downstream of the first conveying roller 111 and a branching position where the switchback conveying path 1103 branches off from the second conveying path 1102 upstream of the second intermediate conveying roller 115. The switchback conveying path 1103 switches the conveying direction of the folded sheet Sf that has been conveyed downstream on the second conveying path 1102, and the folded sheet Sf is conveyed to the first conveying path 1101 by switchback conveyance. The switchback conveying path 1103 as a third conveying path is provided with switchback conveying rollers 113 as a third conveying means.

[0049] Further, a sheet discharge path 1109 is provided as a downstream conveyance path following the first conveyance path 1101, and discharges the sheet S or the folded sheet Sf that has passed through the sheet inverting unit 110 to the downstream post-processing device 400. In addition, an exit roller 102 is disposed in the sheet discharge path 1109.

[0050] When the folded sheet Sf transported from the folding device 300 is not subjected to the enclosing process described below, the folded sheet Sf passes from the input path 1100 through the first conveying path 1101 and is discharged to a downstream device via the sheet output path 1109.

[0051] The sheet inverting unit 110 also has an inserting conveying path 1104 as a fourth conveying path that branches off from the first conveying path 1101 downstream of the first conveying rollers 111 and continues to an inserting roller 121 that holds an envelope E into which the folded sheet Sf is to be inserted. The inserting conveying path 1104 is configured to continue to an envelope conveying path 1105, as described later.

[0052] In addition, in the sheet inverting unit 110, a branching claw 10 as a branching means is disposed at a branching position for transporting the folded sheet Sf from the carry-in path 1100 to either the first transport path 1101 or the second transport path 1102. The branching claw 10 switches between transporting the folded sheet Sf to the first transport path 1101 side or the second transport path 1102 side based on the insertion target information related to the folded sheet Sf carried into the carry-in path 1100.

[0053] Further, the sheet inverting unit 110 has a first switching claw 11 disposed at a junction where the switchback conveying path 1103 joins the first conveying path 1101. The first switching claw 11 switches between a state in which the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the carry-in path 1100 to the first conveying path 1101 side is conveyed to the first conveying roller 111 side, and a state in which the folded sheet Sf is conveyed from the switchback conveying path 1103 to the first conveying path 1101 side.

[0054] Further, in the sheet inverting unit 110, a second switching claw 12 as a second deflection means is disposed at a branching position where the second conveying path 1102 branches off to the switchback conveying path 1103. The second switching claw 12 switches between a state in which the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the carry-in path 1100 to the second conveying path 1102 side is conveyed to the second conveying rollers 112, and a state in which the folded sheet Sf is conveyed in a switchback manner from the second conveying path 1102 to the switchback conveying path 1103.

[0055] Further, in the sheet inverting unit 110, a third switching claw 13 as a third deflection means is disposed at a branching position where the first conveying path 1101 branches into an enclosing conveying path 1104. The third switching claw 13 switches between a state in which the folded sheet Sf conveyed by the first conveying path 1101 is conveyed to the enclosing conveying path 1104 and a state in which the folded sheet Sf is conveyed to a sheet discharge path 1109.

[0056] The folded sheet Sf conveyed to the first conveying path 1101 is conveyed to the first conveying rollers 111 by the first intermediate conveying rollers 114. The first conveying rollers 111 convey the conveyed folded sheet Sf downstream. When the third switching claw 13 is in the state shown in FIG. 3, the folded sheet Sf is conveyed to the insertion conveying path 1104. When the folded sheet Sf is conveyed a predetermined distance after the trailing end of the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the first intermediate conveying rollers 114 to the first conveying rollers 111 is detected by the first sheet detection sensor 118, the folded sheet Sf has already moved to the insertion conveying path 1104, and therefore the operation of each roller rotating in the sheet reversing unit 110 is stopped.

[0057] The folded sheet Sf conveyed to the second conveying path 1102 is conveyed to the second conveying rollers 112 by the second intermediate conveying rollers 115. When the folded sheet Sf is conveyed a predetermined distance after the trailing end of the conveyed folded sheet Sf is detected by the second sheet detection sensor 119, the second conveying rollers 112 stop once and then reverse. This puts the folded sheet Sf in a state where it can be switched back to be conveyed to the switchback conveying path 1103. At this time, before or at the same time as the second conveying rollers 112 reverse, the second switching claw 12 is rotated at the timing when the trailing end of the folded sheet Sf passes the second switching claw 12 (this is also determined based on the detection by the second sheet detection sensor 119). This switches the state to where the folded sheet Sf is conveyed to the switchback conveying path 1103.

[0058] When the folded sheet Sf is guided from the second conveying path 1102 to the switchback conveying path 1103 , the folded sheet Sf is conveyed toward the first conveying path 1101 by the switchback conveying rollers 113 .

[0059] [Configuration of Encapsulating Section 120] 3, the inserting unit 120 is provided with an envelope conveying path 1105 that is connected to an inserting conveying path 1104 as a fourth conveying path for receiving the sheet S or folded sheet Sf as the enclosure from the sheet inverting unit 110 and inserting it into an envelope E. The envelope conveying path 1105 functions as a conveying path for conveying the envelope E to a predetermined position, holding it there, and conveying the envelope E with the enclosure inserted therein to a sealing path 1106.

[0060] The envelope transport path 1105 is provided with an inserting roller 121 for holding the envelope E transported to a position for receiving the transported folded sheet Sf. The envelope transport path 1105 is also provided with a first vertical transport roller 122 and a second vertical transport roller 123 for transporting the envelope E to a position for receiving the folded sheet Sf.

[0061] An enclosure pusher 160 is disposed between the insertion roller 121 and the first vertical transport roller 122, to the side of the envelope transport path 1105. The enclosure pusher 160 will be described in detail later.

[0062] A flap opening roller 124 is provided at a connecting position to the sealing path 1106 following the envelope transport path 1105. The flap opening roller 124 includes a flap opening mechanism that opens a flap ef of the envelope E before the envelope E is transported from the envelope set tray 127 to the above-mentioned predetermined position.

[0063] An envelope switchback switching claw 21 is disposed at the junction where the envelope transport path 1105 and the envelope carry-in path 1107 join. A separation roller 125 and an envelope transport roller 126 are disposed on the envelope carry-in path 1107, and an envelope set tray 127 is disposed at the end of the envelope carry-in path 1107.

[0064] A plurality of envelopes E are placed on the envelope set tray 127. The bottom of the envelope E placed on the envelope set tray 127, which is the opposite end of the flap ef, faces the separation roller 125. Therefore, in the conveying direction of the envelope E when it is conveyed out of the envelope set tray 127, the leading end of the envelope E abuts the bottom of the envelope E, and the trailing end of the envelope E abuts the side where the flap ef is provided. In other words, the insertion opening and the flap ef of the envelope E stacked on the envelope set tray 127 face the opposite side of the separation roller 125.

[0065] An envelope E picked up by the separation roller 125 from a plurality of envelopes E placed on the envelope set tray 127 is transported by the envelope transport roller 126 and the flap opening roller 124 to a position beyond the envelope switchback switching claw 21.

[0066] The envelope switchback switching claw 21 rotates between a position for temporarily transporting the envelope E taken out from the envelope set tray 127 to the sealing path 1106 and a position for transporting the envelope E to the sheet reversing unit 110 side on the envelope transport path 1105. In other words, the envelope switchback switching claw 21 is a member that switches the transport direction of the envelope E.

[0067] The first vertical conveying roller 122 and the second vertical conveying roller 123 convey and hold the envelope E at a predetermined position on the envelope conveying path 1105. The predetermined position here is a position where the position of the opening of the envelope E (the position of the flap ef) is lower than the enclosing roller 121 and higher than the first vertical conveying roller 122, as described below.

[0068] The inserting roller 121 is a type of conveying roller that rotates in a direction to insert the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the sheet inverting unit 110 into the envelope E.

[0069] [Configuration of sealing unit 130] 3, the sealing section 130 has a third vertical conveying roller 131 and a fourth vertical conveying roller 132 arranged on a sealing path 1106. It also has an envelope discharge path 1108 branching off from the sealing path 1106. An envelope discharge switching claw 31 is arranged at the branching position of the sealing path 1106 and the envelope discharge path 1108. An envelope discharge roller 133 is arranged on the envelope discharge path 1108, and the envelope discharge path 1108 is arranged at an end thereof.

[0070] The third vertical conveying roller 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller 132 convey the envelope E to a predetermined position on the sealing path 1106 and hold it there.

[0071] The envelope discharge switching claw 31 is a member that rotates between a position where the envelope E is transported from the flap opening roller 124 side to the third vertical transport roller 131 on the insertion transport path 1104, and a position where the envelope E is transported from the insertion transport path 1104 to the envelope discharge path 1108, thereby switching the transport direction of the envelope E.

[0072] The envelope discharge rollers 133 are rollers that discharge the envelope E toward the envelope discharge tray 134 .

[0073] The envelope discharge tray 134 is a tray on which the discharged envelopes E are placed.

[0074] As described above, in the inserting and sealing device 100, the conveying paths for conveying the folded sheet Sf from the sheet inverting unit 110 to the inserting unit 120 and the sealing unit 130 are arranged so as to be connected in the vertical direction (Z direction). This conveying path, which is the conveying path for the folded sheet Sf and also the conveying path for the envelope E, corresponds to a vertical conveying path that connects the envelope conveying path 1105 of the inserting unit 120 and the sealing path 1106 of the sealing unit 130 in the vertical direction (Z direction).

[0075] [Configuration of the inclusion pushing unit 160] Next, the configuration of the enclosure pusher 160 provided in the enclosing unit 120 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows an outline of the main structure of the enclosure pusher 160. The enclosure pusher 160 serving as a medium pushing mechanism mainly comprises a pusher claw 161, a claw rotating shaft 162, a slide portion 163, a spring 164, a slide rod shaft 165, a belt fixing portion 166, a rotating gear 167, a toothed belt 168, and an envelope opening claw 169.

[0076] The initial state of the pressing claw 161 having the movement restriction section is a state in which the pressing claw 161 is in a position to abut an enclosure (e.g., folded sheet Sf) when the enclosure is transported from the sheet inverting section 110 along the envelope transport path 1105. When the enclosure transported in the -Z direction abuts against the upper surface side of the pressing claw 161 in the initial state, the pressing claw 161 is pushed in the -Z direction. When pushed by the enclosure, the pressing claw 161 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4. As a result, the pressing claw 161 is in an enclosed state in which the folded sheet Sf as the enclosure can proceed into the envelope E.

[0077] When no external force as described above is applied, pressing claw 161 is biased by spring 164 so as to return to the initial state (the state shown in FIG. 4) in which it crosses envelope conveying path 1105 in the width direction.

[0078] The pressing claw 161 rotates around a claw rotation shaft 162. The claw rotation shaft 162 is fixed to a slide portion 163.

[0079] One end of a spring 164 is fixed to the slide portion 163. The other end of the spring 164 is fixed to the end of the pressing claw 161. Therefore, when the pressing claw 161 rotates counterclockwise by the claw rotation shaft 162, it rotates in a direction against the biasing force of the spring 164. In other words, by pressing the tip side of the pressing claw 161 downward with a force larger than the biasing force of the spring 164, it becomes possible to insert the pressing claw into the envelope E.

[0080] When a force is applied to the pressing claw 161 to rotate it in the clockwise direction, the rear end side of the pressing claw 161 abuts against the spring 164 and the slide portion 163 to which the spring 164 is fixed. Therefore, the pressing claw 161 cannot rotate in the counterclockwise direction.

[0081] The slide portion 163 is slidably held by a slide rod 165. A belt fixing portion 166 is provided at the end of the slide portion 163 opposite to the pressing claw 161 side. This belt fixing portion 166 is fixed to a toothed belt 168 that fits with a rotary gear 167. The slide rod 165 is a guide member for sliding the slide portion 163 along the envelope transport path 1105. Therefore, the slide portion 163 is held slidably in the direction in which the envelope transport path 1105 extends (Z direction).

[0082] The rotation of the rotating gear 167 is controlled by the enclosing and sealing control unit 150. When the rotating gear 167 rotates, the toothed belt 168 looped around it rotates. When the toothed belt 168 rotates, the slide portion 163 fixed by the belt fixing portion 166 moves in the rotation direction. As described above, the movement direction of this slide portion 163 is the Z direction. When the rotating gear 167 rotates, the slide portion 163 is guided by the slide rod shaft 165 and slides in the Z direction.

[0083] The enclosure pushing unit 160 also includes an envelope opening claw 169 for temporarily expanding and holding the opening portion of the envelope E. The operation of the envelope opening claw 169 is also controlled by the insertion and sealing control unit 150, but detailed explanation of the structure and operation will be omitted. At this time, when the envelope E is held in a position to receive the enclosure, the opening of the envelope E is held in a state where it is pressed in the expansion direction (-Y direction) by the envelope opening claw 169. This reduces friction between the envelope E and the enclosure when the enclosure is inserted into the envelope E, allowing it to be inserted reliably.

[0084] [Operation of the inclusion pusher 160] Next, the operation of the enclosure pushing unit 160 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. First, as shown in Fig. 5(a), when a folded sheet Sf, which is an enclosure, is conveyed from the insertion conveying path 1104 side (see Fig. 4) to the envelope conveying path 1105, the pushing claw 161 is held in an initial state crossing the envelope conveying path 1105. When the folded sheet Sf conveyed in the -Z direction abuts against the pushing claw 161, the pushing claw 161 is pushed by the folded sheet Sf and rotates around the claw rotation shaft 162 as the rotation center.

[0085] This rotation causes the pressing claw 161 to retreat from the envelope transport path 1105, enabling the insertion of an envelope. When the pressing claw 161 passes, the external force (pressing force) pressing the pressing claw 161 downward disappears. The pressing claw 161 then returns to its initial state (see FIG. 4) due to the bias of the spring 164. The envelope E is held at the end of the folded sheet Sf transported in the -Z direction beyond the position of the pressing claw 161.

[0086] 5B, the rotary gear 167 rotates to move the sliding portion 163 in the -Z direction. Due to this movement, the rear end of the folded sheet Sf in the conveying direction is pushed in the -Z direction by a contact portion that corresponds to a part of the lower surface of the pressing claw 161, and is pushed into the envelope E. In other words, the -Z direction in which the pressing claw 161 slides and moves corresponds to the "pressing direction."

[0087] [Envelope filling and sealing process flow] Next, an example of a series of flows of the enclosing and sealing operations in the enclosing and sealing device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 17. Note that in each figure, only components used to explain each operation stage are labeled with reference symbols, etc.

[0088] First, as shown in Fig. 6, after the envelopes E are separated one by one from the multiple envelopes E stacked on the envelope set tray 127 by the separation roller 125, the envelope E is transported to the flap opening roller 124 by the envelope transport roller 126. At this time, the envelope switchback switching claw 21 and the envelope discharge switching claw 31 are oriented in the direction shown in Fig. 6. In addition, the flap opening roller 124, the third vertical transport roller 131, and the fourth vertical transport roller 132 rotate in a direction to transport the envelope E downward, and transport the envelope E to a predetermined position on the insertion transport path 1104.

[0089] Next, as shown in FIG. 7, before the envelope E has completely passed the flap opening roller 124, the flap ef is opened by the flap opening mechanism, and the flap opening roller 124, the third vertical conveying roller 131, and the fourth vertical conveying roller 132 continue to rotate, leading to the state shown in FIG.

[0090] As shown in Fig. 8, after the flap ef of the envelope E is in an open state and reaches a position where the flap ef has passed through the flap opening roller 124, the third vertical conveying roller 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller 132 rotate in the reverse direction to switchback-convey the envelope E toward a predetermined position in the enclosing section 120. Also, before or at the same time as the switchback-conveyance starts, the envelope switchback switching claw 21 rotates in the direction shown in Fig. 8. This makes it possible to convey the envelope E upward on the envelope conveying path 1105.

[0091] 9, the envelope E is transported by the second vertical transport rollers 123 and the first vertical transport rollers 122 until the flap ef reaches a position where it has passed through the first vertical transport rollers 122. When the flap ef reaches a position where it has passed through the first vertical transport rollers 122, the rotation of the second vertical transport rollers 123 and the first vertical transport rollers 122 is stopped, and the insertion standby operation begins.

[0092] The position where the insertion standby operation starts corresponds to a predetermined position for inserting the enclosure into the envelope E. A folded sheet Sf is inserted into the envelope E that has stopped at the predetermined position.

[0093] In addition, in controlling the transport of envelope E to a predetermined position, after separation roller 125 removes envelope E, the transport amount of envelope E is calculated from the rotation amount of each transport roller, and the position of envelope E within insertion transport path 1104 is determined based on the transport amount and the transport path length.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 10, the inserting and sealing device 100 receives a folded sheet Sf from the upstream device (folding device 300) at the inlet rollers 101 and conveys it to the first conveying path 1101 while holding the envelope E at the inserting position.

[0095] 11, the folded sheet Sf is transported downstream by the first intermediate transport roller 114 and the first transport roller 111. At this time, since the first switching claw 11 and the third switching claw 13 are in the state shown in FIG. 11, the folded sheet Sf is transported from the first transport path 1101 to the insertion transport path 1104.

[0096] 12, the folded sheet Sf conveyed from the insertion conveying path 1104 to the envelope conveying path 1105 is conveyed further downward by the insertion rollers 121. As a result, the folded sheet Sf is inserted into the envelope E, which is held at a predetermined insertion position on the envelope conveying path 1105 by the first vertical conveying rollers 122 and the like and has an open opening. During this insertion operation, as shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the insertion pusher 160 operates and the pusher claw 161 pushes the folded sheet Sf into the envelope E.

[0097] Next, as shown in Fig. 13, the first vertical conveying roller 122 and the second vertical conveying roller 123 are rotated to convey the envelope E downward, and as shown in Fig. 14, the envelope E is conveyed to the fourth vertical conveying roller 132. The envelope E after insertion is conveyed until it reaches a position where the flap ef passes through the envelope discharge switching claw 31.

[0098] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15, the flap ef is closed by the sealing mechanism between the third vertical conveying roller 131 and the fourth vertical conveying roller 132 to seal the envelope E.

[0099] 16, the third vertical conveying rollers 131 and the fourth vertical conveying rollers 132 are rotated in the reverse direction, and the sealed envelope E is switchback-conveyed by the third vertical conveying rollers 131 and the fourth vertical conveying rollers 132. Before the third vertical conveying rollers 131 and the fourth vertical conveying rollers 132 are rotated in the reverse direction, the envelope discharge switching claw 31 is rotated to the state shown in FIG. 16. As a result, the enclosed envelope E is conveyed from the insertion conveying path 1104 to the envelope discharge path 1108.

[0100] As a result, the sealed envelope E is discharged onto the envelope discharge tray 134 by the envelope discharge rollers 133, as shown in FIG.

[0101] [Comparison example of pushing in the enclosed material] Next, a problem that occurs when the surface that the pressing claw 161 of the enclosure pressing unit 160 abuts when pressing an enclosure (folded sheet Sf) is flat will be described. As shown in FIG. 18, when the abutment portion that presses the rear end of the folded sheet Sf as an enclosure downward is flat, a pressing force is applied from the end of the folded sheet Sf in the length direction of the folded sheet Sf. In this case, the end of the folded sheet Sf that is pressed by the abutment portion of the pressing claw 161 is likely to bend in a direction different from the thickness direction (Y direction) of the envelope E. In this way, if the pressing claw 161 performs a pressing operation while the end is facing in a different direction, the shape of the enclosure will be deformed, such as the end of the folded sheet Sf being bent, unintended folding occurring, or wrinkles occurring.

[0102] Furthermore, this tendency is likely to be more pronounced when the folded sheet Sf is a thin sheet or other sheet with low stiffness. Therefore, the accuracy of aligning the edges of the folded sheet Sf decreases depending on the type of folded sheet Sf and the conditions of the pushing operation.

[0103] In this regard, as described below, the pressing claw 161 according to this embodiment has a movement restriction portion 1611 on a contact surface 1610 with which the folded sheet Sf contacts, which restricts movement of the end of the folded sheet Sf in a specific direction as shown in Fig. 20. The specific direction refers to the thickness direction of the envelope E, i.e., the thickness direction of the folded sheet Sf. Therefore, the movement restriction portion 1611 can reduce and prevent the movement of the folded sheet Sf in the thickness direction and the resulting deformation of the end by the movement, as compared to the structure in the comparative example.

[0104] [First embodiment of the inclusion pusher 160] Next, a first embodiment of the enclosure pusher 160 will be described with reference to Fig. 19. The pusher claws 161a of the enclosure pusher 160 according to this embodiment have a plurality of contact portions that come into contact with the folded sheet Sf to be pushed in. For example, as shown in Fig. 19(a), this embodiment includes a configuration that includes a plurality of contact surfaces 1610 in the width direction of the folded sheet Sf (the X direction, which is perpendicular to the conveying direction).

[0105] 19(b), this embodiment also includes a configuration in which multiple pressing claws 161b are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction, so that the end of the folded sheet Sf can be pressed in by multiple discretely arranged contact portions. In this embodiment, multiple contact surfaces 1610 of the pressing claws 161a or 161b correspond to movement restriction portions 1611 for restricting movement of the folded sheet Sf in the thickness direction.

[0106] If the pressing claw 161 according to this embodiment does not contact the folded sheet Sf at multiple points in the width direction but only at one specific point, the contents will rotate around the contact point when inserted into the envelope E, as shown in the comparative example of Fig. 19(c). In this way, it is highly likely that the contents will be skewed at the angle θ, making it difficult to insert the contents securely into the envelope E.

[0107] In contrast, if the structure is such that the folded sheet Sf is contacted at multiple contact points, as in the case of the pressing claw 161a, even if the folded sheet Sf is skewed, the angle θ' will be smaller than the angle θ, as shown in Fig. 19(d). In other words, if the structure is such that the folded sheet Sf is contacted at multiple points, as in the case of the pressing claw 161a according to this embodiment, the folded sheet Sf will be inserted in a more stable state. The same effect can be obtained even if a structure having contact portions that are continuous in the width direction of the folded sheet Sf is used.

[0108] [Second embodiment of the inclusion pusher 160] Next, a second embodiment of the enclosure pusher 160 will be described with reference to Fig. 20. The pushing claw 161c of the enclosure pusher 160 according to this embodiment includes a movement restricting portion 1611c that restricts the folded sheet Sf, which is the object to be pushed, from expanding in the thickness direction of the folded sheet Sf when the folded sheet Sf is pushed.

[0109] The movement restricting portion 1611c has a structure in which the tip of the pressing claw 161c protrudes downward as shown in Fig. 20(a), for example. The protruding direction and protruding size may be such that the movement in the thickness direction of the folded sheet Sf can be restricted, but may be elongated in the length direction (transport direction) of the enclosed material as shown in Fig. 20(b).

[0110] When the end of the folded sheet Sf is pushed downward by the pushing claw 161c having the movement restricting portion 1611c, the folded sheet Sf is restricted from expanding in the thickness direction as shown in Fig. 20(c), which allows the enclosed item to be stably enclosed while preventing the item from being deformed.

[0111] [Third embodiment of the inclusion pusher 160] Next, a third embodiment of the enclosure pusher 160 will be described with reference to Fig. 21. The pusher claw 161d of the enclosure pusher 160 according to this embodiment has an inclined groove 1612 as a movement restricting portion 1611d formed at a contact portion that contacts the folded sheet Sf when the folded sheet Sf is pushed in, as shown in Fig. 21(a).

[0112] At least one of the sides of the inclined groove 1612 is an inclined surface that is inclined in the thickness direction of the folded sheet Sf. That is, the inclined groove 1612 is inclined in the contact direction of the folded sheet Sf. As shown in FIG. 21(b), even if the end of the folded sheet Sf comes into contact with a part of the pushing claw 161d and is curved, the inclination of the inclined groove 1612 causes the end to be concentrated on the deepest part side. This makes it possible to prevent the end of the contact part from moving in the thickness direction from the position of the inclined groove 1612 during the pushing operation. As a result, the folded sheet Sf can be pushed into the envelope E while the rear end of the folded sheet Sf is appropriately held, so that the folded sheet Sf can be stably pushed in while improving the alignment accuracy of the end of the folded sheet Sf as an enclosure.

[0113] Also, as shown in FIG. 21(c), a groove along the width direction of the folded sheet Sf as a direction perpendicular to both the pushing direction and the thickness direction of the folded sheet Sf may be provided in the thickness direction of the folded sheet Sf. With the inclined grooves 1612a, as shown in FIG. 21(d), the end of the folded sheet Sf comes into contact with the inclined grooves 1612a in a scattered state during the pushing operation, and the movement in the thickness direction is restricted. Therefore, when the folded sheets Sf are inserted into the envelope E, the end of each folded sheet Sf can be more appropriately caught and pushed in than with the inclined grooves 1612. In particular, if the inclined grooves 1612a are wider in the length direction of the pushing claw 161b, the same effect as the inclined groove 1612 shown in FIG. 21(a) can be obtained.

[0114] 21(c) illustrates a plurality of inclined grooves 1612a parallel to the width direction of the folded sheet Sf, but the inclined grooves 1612a may have a certain angle with respect to the width direction, or may have a cross-shaped contact surface, etc. By using parallel inclined grooves 1612a or cross-shaped inclined grooves 1612a, it becomes possible to deal with a wider variety of variations.

[0115] [Fourth embodiment of the inclusion pusher 160] Next, a fourth embodiment of the inclusion pusher 160 will be described with reference to Fig. 22. As shown in Fig. 22(a), the pusher claw 161e of the inclusion pusher 160 according to this embodiment includes an elastic member 1613 as a movement restricting portion 1611e provided at a contact portion that comes into contact when the inclusion is pushed in.

[0116] The elastic member 1613 may be a sponge, a glue, a sheet material with a high coefficient of friction, etc. Any of these may be used as long as they exhibit the property of preventing the end of the enclosed object from sliding or shifting in the thickness direction when in contact with the material.

[0117] For example, as shown in Fig. 22(b), when the elastic member 1613 is made of a material that exhibits elasticity, such as a sponge or a glue, it will be recessed to match the position of the rear end of the inclusion that it comes into contact with. This makes it possible to restrict the inclusion from moving in the thickness direction.

[0118] If the elastic member 1613 is a sheet having a high coefficient of friction, the rear end of the enclosure that comes into contact with it will not slip easily, and movement in the thickness direction will be restricted, allowing it to be pushed in appropriately.

[0119] [Fifth embodiment of the inclusion pusher 160] Next, a fifth embodiment of the enclosure pusher 160 will be described with reference to Fig. 23. As shown in Fig. 23(a), the pusher claw 161f of the enclosure pusher 160 according to this embodiment has a pusher surface 1614 at a contact portion that comes into contact when pushing in the enclosure. The pusher surface 1614 is biased toward the end of the folded sheet Sf by a pusher spring 1615 attached inside the pusher claw 161f.

[0120] When the pressing claw 161f performs a pressing operation while in contact with the folded sheet Sf, a force is applied in the direction in which the pressing spring 1615 contracts, and as a result, the pressing surface 1614 moves in the length direction of the folded sheet Sf.

[0121] When pushing the folded sheet Sf into the envelope E, if the length of the folded sheet Sf is slightly longer than the length of the envelope E or if the folded sheet Sf is made of a thin material, the rear end of the folded sheet Sf may bend depending on how hard it is pushed.

[0122] The position of the pressing surface 1614 according to this embodiment changes within the range between the spring length L of the pressing spring 1615 shown in Fig. 23(a) and the spring length L' of the pressing spring 1615 shown in Fig. 23(b). The position of the pressing surface 1614 changes due to the elastic force of the pressing spring 1615, thereby reducing the pressing force when the folded sheet Sf comes into contact, and it is possible to prevent bending of the rear end of the folded sheet Sf due to the pressing force.

[0123] [Sixth embodiment of the inclusion pusher 160] Next, a sixth embodiment of the enclosure pushing unit 160 will be described with reference to Figs. 24 and 25. The enclosure pushing unit 160b according to this embodiment includes a pushing confirmation sensor 1616 on the envelope transport path 1105. The pushing confirmation sensor 1616 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the folded sheet Sf is properly inserted in the envelope E transported to a predetermined position.

[0124] For example, even after the folded sheet Sf has been pushed into the envelope E (see FIG. 5(b)), if the end of the folded sheet Sf is protruding from the envelope E, or if the sheet is not inserted properly, the pushing confirmation sensor 1616 will detect the folded sheet Sf. Therefore, when the pushing confirmation sensor 1616 detects the folded sheet Sf, it is determined that the sheet has not been inserted properly. At this time, as shown in FIG. 25, the pushing claw 161e adjusts the contact angle at which the contact position of the pushing claw 161g contacts the folded sheet Sf by a rotation mechanism consisting of a first rotating gear 1617 and a second rotating gear 1618. By adjusting the rotation angle of these two gears, it is possible to more easily capture the rear end of the folded sheet Sf.

[0125] The first rotating gear 1617 is configured to rotate around a rotation axis arranged at the end of the pushing claw 161g, and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the second rotating gear 1618. The second rotating gear 1618 is supported by a gear rotation axis 1618a held in a housing in which the enclosure pushing unit 160 is arranged, and is configured so that the rotation angle is controlled by the enclosure sealing control unit 150.

[0126] For example, as shown in FIG. 25(a), when multiple folded sheets Sf are inserted, if the position of each end varies, and the angle at which the pushing claw 161g contacts the folded sheets Sf is "θ", and even if the pushing claw 161g is pushed in, it only contacts one of the folded sheets Sf, and the end of that one folded sheet Sf will be bent. Even if the pushing operation is performed in this state, the folded sheets Sf will not be completely inserted, and the pushing confirmation sensor 1616 detects the end of the folded sheet Sf that was not inserted and determines that it is not inserted. In this case, the rotation angle of the first rotating gear 1617 and the second rotating gear 1618 is adjusted to change the contact angle from "θ" to "θ'", and the pushing operation is performed again. This allows the rear ends of multiple folded sheets Sf to be pushed in at a suitable contact angle, as shown in FIG. 25(b). As a result, the enclosure can be inserted in an envelope E in a suitable state.

[0127] In each of the above-described embodiments, when inserting the enclosure into the envelope E, the enclosure can be inserted reliably and bending or warping can be prevented by devising a part that comes into contact with the enclosure when the enclosure is pushed in. This enhances the effect of inserting the enclosure without damaging it.

[0128] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist of the present invention. The present invention covers all technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 1: Print system 110: Sheet turning section 120: Enclosure 121: Enclosed roller 122: First vertical conveying roller 123: Second vertical conveying roller 124: Flap opening roller 125: Separation roller 126: Envelope transport roller 127: Envelope set tray 130: Sealing department 150: Encapsulation and sealing control section 160, 160b: Enclosed object pushing section 161, 161a, 161b, 161c, 161d, 161e, 161f, 161g: Pressing claws 162: Claw rotating shaft 163: Slide section 164: Spring 165: Slide rod 166: Belt fixing part 167: Rotating gear 168: Toothed belt 169: Envelope opening claw 200: Image forming device 300: Folding device 410: Post-processing section 1104: Enclosure transport route 1105: Envelope transport path 1106: Sealed Route 1107: Envelope delivery route 1108: Envelope ejection path 1109: Sheet delivery route 1610: Contact surface 1611, 1611c, 1611d, 1611e: Movement control department 1612, 1612a: Inclined groove 1613: Elastic members 1614: Push-in surface 1615: Compression spring 1616: Push-in confirmation sensor 1617: First rotating gear 1618: Second rotating gear [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0130] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-203392 A

Claims

1. An encapsulating device for encapsulating a sheet-like medium into an envelope conveyed to an encapsulating position, comprising: a medium pushing mechanism for pushing the medium toward the opening of the envelope at the encapsulating position; the medium pushing mechanism includes a movement restricting portion for restricting movement of an end portion of the medium in the thickness direction at a contact portion that contacts the medium when the medium is pushed into the envelope; the movement restricting portion has a tip portion protruding from a contact surface that contacts the medium; the tip portion enters the opening of the envelope when pushing the medium toward the opening of the envelope; An encapsulating device characterized by the above.

2. The encapsulating device according to claim 1, wherein the movement restricting portion is formed with a plurality of grooves along a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction on a contact surface that contacts the medium. The encapsulating device according to claim 1.

3. The encapsulating device according to claim 2, wherein at least one side surface of the groove is an inclined surface inclined in the thickness direction. The encapsulating device according to claim 2.

4. An encapsulating device for encapsulating a sheet-like medium into an envelope conveyed to an encapsulating position, comprising: a medium pushing mechanism for pushing the medium toward the opening of the envelope at the encapsulating position; the medium pushing mechanism includes a movement restricting portion for restricting movement of an end portion of the medium in the thickness direction at a contact portion that contacts the medium when the medium is pushed into the envelope; the movement restricting portion includes an elastic member that biases the contact portion in the pushing direction of the envelope; An encapsulating device characterized by the above.

5. The encapsulating device according to claim 4, wherein the elastic member includes a member having a higher coefficient of friction than the medium pushing mechanism. The encapsulating device according to claim 4.

6. The encapsulating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of the movement restricting portions are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the pushing direction of the medium. The encapsulating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The encapsulating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the medium pushing mechanism includes a rotation mechanism for varying an angle of a contact portion that contacts the medium when pushing the medium. The encapsulating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The rotation mechanism includes: a first rotation gear having an opposite end of an end portion provided with a contact portion to the medium as a rotation axis; a second rotation gear for fixing the first rotation gear at a predetermined angle; a gear rotation axis for rotating the second rotation gear at a predetermined angle. The encapsulating device according to claim 7.

9. An encapsulating device for encapsulating a sheet-like medium into an envelope conveyed to an encapsulating position, comprising: a medium pushing mechanism for pushing the medium toward the opening of the envelope at the encapsulating position; When the medium pressing mechanism presses the medium into the envelope, at the contact portion that contacts the medium, there is a movement restricting portion that restricts the movement of the end portion of the medium in the thickness direction of the medium, a rotating shaft that rotates the end portion in the pressing direction of the medium, and the movement restricting portion is provided at the end portion. An encapsulating device characterized by this.

10. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet-like medium, The encapsulating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which stacks a plurality of the media on which the image is formed and encloses them in an envelope, An image forming system characterized by comprising the same.

Images